The Dirt - October 2016

OCTOBER 2016
Building Better Communities

CASS ROAD BRIDGE COMPLETE

6 | Human Resources
12 | Photo Spread

23 | Breast Cancer Awareness
24 | Great Wolf Lodge

MONTHLY COMMUNICATOR

IN HISTORY

Cass Road Bridge

The first picture is the beginning stages
of construction of the Boardman earthen
dam at Cass Road circa 1894.

The second picture is from 1912. With
the same building as shown in picture
above and a bridge that most likely
would have been a wooden bridge.

In 1893, the Boardman River Electric
Light & Power Company was formed.
In April of 1894, BRL&P received
permission from Grand Traverse
County to build a dam across the
Boardman River (pictured below), the
first hydroelectric dam on the river.

BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES SINCE 1956 THIS ISSUE 12 > Photos
Esphalt™ • Excavation • Concrete • Cranes 14 > Safety
3 > President 15 > Project of the Month
4 > Aggregates 16 > Cranes/Rigging
5 > Communications 17 > Trucking
6 > Human Resources 18 > Chaplain’'s Corner
7 > Health Benefits 19 > Mechanics
8 > TC Excavation 22 > Pickle
9 > Hillman 24 > Great Wolf Lodge
10 > Concrete
11 > Asphalt

FALL IS HERE!

Hey, gang! winter stockpiles in. Again, great problems to have! The
asphalt division is also packing in the fall rush and doing a
So, another fall and another Lions season great job “dancing” around the rain. The crews are kicking
starting at one and one. They are still “Esphalt” and doing a great job! I would like to thank
keeping us guessing; are they going to ALL THE CREWS in creating the fourth paving crew. All
be good? Or will they crush our faith and have felt the pinch of taking on and training new team
hope? Time will tell.  The Michigan- members to fill the gaps left by stretching to service the
Michigan State game is looking to be abundant calls. Thanks to Dean Edgecomb for jumping
another epic battle! Tom Shelder is giving 14 points-get in and running the fourth crew. All have helped a ton to
your bet in early! I haven’t heard much about the youth make for a little smoother fall rush (if those words can be
hunt, have you? There have been a lot of nice bucks used in the same sentence). Thanks to all the estimators
running around and a few reports from the youth hunt. I for pushing so hard to fill the year up to that “Michigan
hope you’re getting out and enjoying some fall activities holiday” we so love. We are getting lots of great feedback
with your kids. Update: We were misinformed about on all the great work for the year as well! Thanks to every
the gentleman in Petoskey who we were told passed one of you for putting your name on it when you’re done!
away from the roller accident as reported in last month’s
newsletter. He is alive and recovering from his injuries. Not quite two months left to pray for our country and
This is wonderful news! decide who to vote for!  Hopefully, you will not get
frustrated and you will take the time to get out and vote!
We have work coming out our ears to finish for this fall! It’s going to be awesome! With the election and all the
Thanks to all of you working every day to make it happen! uncertainty in the world, we know one thing for certain. We
It is so great to be blessed with work and to watch the know who wins in the end. Be strong and be a light in the
team busily finishing out a good season. It’s interesting world by knowing who wins. Know that, in Christ, you are
to watch all of the trucks and crews support of each other on the winning team. KNOWING this will give you peace
throughout the state this year, with many from the east in your life. In Romans 12 we see how God has a good,
side helping to complete the work load this spring on the pleasing, and perfect plan for his children. Gain strength in
west side. Now we have lots going on the east side and that. 
we have team mates going over to help with the current
overabundant needs. Great to have a year where we Until next month, stay safe, GOD BLESS, and be the
continue to be able to service the customer’s needs with coffee!
all that’s going on in-house! Thank you for continuing to
provide the customer with the same great service they –Troy
have grown to love. Concrete is still pushing the trucking
division to keep yards stocked for the fall, let alone get 3

Aggregates

REPAIRS COMPLETE! The crew at Hulbert are doing well. We need to continue
to make 31-A. The asphalt department seems to be using
Welcome to October. Bow hunting, 31-A as fast as we can make it. Thank you, team!
fall, yes I said the “f” word. Where did
summer go? The crusher in Alpena is back together. We need to get it
into position to finish up product for year end and winter.
Guess what?! We are finally running Tim and the boys have been busy helping out at LaFarge
at M-72 pit. After a long drawn out while the crusher was being fixed. Thank you for multi-
repair process, the cone is back in tasking.
action. Thank you to all who stayed late
and worked hard - the crane department, the aggregate Hope everyone has a safe and successful bow hunting
department, the trucking department, the mechanics – all
who got us up and running as soon as possible. We will season. Don’t forget your ahlloween candy, trick or treats
be running at M-72 until weather says otherwise.

are just around the corner.

Be safe and Smile. – Todd

Photo provided by: Brad Nichols
4

Communications

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Approved!

Congratulations, AJ Lawhead! AJ is Tom Shelder is teaching FPU classes. We will be
our first licensed UAS pilot that can interviewing several employees who have taken the class
legally fly UAS (drone) for commercial and highlighting this experience in their lives. Look for this
use. This is after applying for a Section in November. We are looking to be a drop off location
333 exemption and waiting and waiting for a local food drive for Father Fred in the Traverse City
and waiting. Now that the rules have office. Look for more details in a couple weeks. I know
changed, we start over. After testing, we Hillman has one around Christmas time. We are already
are approved to fly. Way to go, AJ! setting the dates for Foreman Dinners, Christmas Open
Houses, and plant tours. Wow! What month is it?
The 20 year inductee dinner is coming up October 23,
2016 at 5:30 pm at Boone's Long Lake Inn. If you are Remember, it is year end, days become shorter and so
over 20 years, we will see you there! Congratulations to does everyone's patience. Give people the benefit of the
the twenty (20) year inductees for 2016. They include: doubt and look for the positive!
Dan Beckelic, Vicky Long, Mark Basch, Michelle Broad,
Frank Kendall, Joe Longton, Toni Hendrix, Max Bott, and Until Next Time, Be The Change You Want To See!
Al Jewett! Terry Mason is celebrating his 30th! Way to go,
team! Invitations have been sent. See you then! – Tonya

5

Human Cindy Karker - pictured middle
Resources 231-943-5544 Ph•[email protected]

Jennifer Flick - pictured left
231-943-5533•[email protected]

Kelsey Baker - pictured right
231-943-5577•[email protected]

NEW HIRES Lay Off gross vehicle weight over 10,001 lbs
unless you’re using a hands-free device.
Please welcome these new members of the It is time to start thinking about layoffs Pull over if you have to use a cellphone
TEAM! for 2016. Here are some things you can without a hands-free device.
Tyler Clark expect: If you’re ticketed by law enforcement
Truck Driver - Traverse City officers for violating this policy, you are
Jeff Scott • Unemployment sign up information responsible for paying any fines, which
Carpenter - Traverse City will be mailed to your home address are severe, charged to you and the
Doug Mielke sometime in October. company.
Transfer Driver - Traverse City
Ismael Diaz • COBRA information with rates on what Qualifying Events
Entry Level Laborer Asphalt - Traverse City you can expect to pay during lay off for
Joseph Michels your Elmer’s medical benefits for you and/ PLEASE NOTE: Changes to your
Transfer Driver - Traverse City or your family based on years of service. coverage may be made within 30 days
This does not affect employees on of a “qualifying event” such as marriage/
Job Openings reduced hours or Elmer’s snow plow crew. divorce, birth, or adoption of a child, a
dependent ceasing to be dependent, etc.
We have a new online • Changes in returning your uniforms – All
application process and job rentals will be hand delivered (soiled or • You must complete an insurance
postings page on the company clean) to Human Resources for review enrollment/change form and return it to
website at www.teamelmers. of damaged and heavily soiled items, Human Resources for all changes within
com/employemnt. Check it out as well as the number of items returned. 30 days of the event, or sooner.
by following the five simple You will sign a form verifying the above
applications steps. Encourage information. • If you do not notify us within 30 days
people to apply online as of the qualifying event, you will not be
openings become available. Have You Seen? able to add the dependent until the Open
Enrollment period, which is May 1 each
Traverse City Openings: Seen any employees wearing orange year.
Truck Driver safety vests? Orange safety vests are
Laborer Asphalt given out during new hire orientation. The • If you fail to notify us that someone on
Safety Administrative Assistant orange vest will easily allow fellow crew your policy has become ineligible due to
Mechanic (second shift) members, foremen, project managers, divorce or age of the dependent, you may
division managers, safety personnel and become responsible for payment of their
Petoskey: owners to identify, stay focused on, and coverage during the period of ineligibility.
Equipment Operator (experienced) help new hires.
DOT Medical Certificate
6 Please take the time to extend your hand
and welcome the new employees, and Many employees are experiencing an
help them with any questions they may extensive process when completing their
have. Mentor them the Elmer's way! DOT Medical Certificate under the new
rules effective May 2014. Please review
Drive With A your DOT Medical Certificate expiration.
Hands Free Device Renew it within 45 days of this date.

It’s illegal to use a cellphone while driving
a company vehicle with a combined

Health & Wellness

Support Benefits 401(k)
PARTICIPANTS
EAP - Bringing Balance to We Give Away Free Money
Your Life Every Year. Ty Finch, Team Elmer’s financial
Did You Get Any? advisor, is available to assist you
Do you ever find that you or your in your 401(k) questions. Please
family members need help with: Team Elmer’s gives away money contact him at:
every year to people who participate
• Marital Issues in the 401(k) retirement plan. Finch Financial
• Parenting Concerns In 2015, we gave a total of 517 Quail Ridge Drive
• Stress: At Home or In the $451,820.40 to employees Traverse City, MI 49686
participating in the 401k plan. 231 883-4694
Workplace What is the catch? You need to [email protected]
• Depression & Anxiety participate in the plan, which means
• Finances & Budgeting you need to put some of the money Employment Forms
• Finding a Lawyer from your paycheck each week into a Online
• Aging & Retirement retirement account. For every $1 you
• Elder Care put in, Elmer’s will put $1 in; up to Please check out Elmer’s
• Child Care 3% of your gross wage. As a bonus, website at http://www.
• Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle every dollar put into the plan is also teamelmers.com/staff to
• Support in Tough Situations exempt from Federal and State download available employment
• Personal Growth income tax! forms.
• Drugs and Alcohol Please see Cindy in Human Username: staff
Resources for enrollment information. Password: c0ncr3t3
Team Elmer’s has a corporate Click the HR & Benefits Info Tab.
chaplain on staff. Please contact Tom Click frequently asked HR forms
Shelder at tshelder@teamelmers. to review a list of online forms.
com or (231) 218-1042 directly. All
conversations are confidential.

2016 Holiday Schedule

Emergency repair and snowplow crews will remain on-call during Holiday Schedule.

• Thanksgiving: November 24, 2016 - Paid Day Off • Christmas Eve-Eve: December 23, 2016 - Unpaid Day Off
• After Thanksgiving: November 25, 2016 - Unpaid Day Off • Christmas Day (Observed): December 26, 2016 - Paid Day Off
• New Year’s Day (Observed): January 2, 2017 - Unpaid Day Off

7

Excavation

Ribbon Cutting Times Two.

It still feels like summer but fall is project in Reed City, an addition to Discount Tire, a dock
officially here and the trees are starting for the Miller’s, a sheet pile coffer dam in Charlevoix, and
to show some color. Are you ready for some gas line work at Waters Landfill.
some FOOTBALL!? High school and Last, but certainly not least, the residential crew is on
another incredible TC Patriot game, home site Number 33 for the year. That is a lot of homes
college with the Big 10 rivalries (Jason Horton is ready to for a lot of families, including two employees from our
up the ante and is going to look good in Maize and Blue Team.
and khaki), and our own NFL Detroit Lions with the usual When I said a few months ago that we would be spread
Super Bowl contender performance one week to get our out on a lot of smaller jobs, you can see what I mean.
hopes up and then a late loss to crush them the following Thanks, to all of you, for your patience with CB and me in
week. trying, but not always succeeding, to get the details right.
Until next month, keep calm and dig on.
We wrapped up work on the M-115 project this month as
well as Townline Road, Blackman & Fenton Streets, and – Max
9th Street in Traverse City. We also finished work on the
Cass Road Bridge, the Lower Shore Drive wall, and the Pictured above, ribbon cutting ceremony for Cass Road
contaminated dig in the Village of Leland. bridge in Traverse City, Michigan. Pictured below,
ribbon cutting ceremony for Garland Street in Traverse
Crews continue work on the Traverse City Streets project City, Michigan.
with another long list of crush and shapes and milling
jobs that were added to the contract along with a couple
of alley projects. Fife Lake sewer lagoon work continues
with stone placement and irrigation field work and the wet
well has been placed for Kalkaska Memorial Health Utility
Relocation and gravity sewer work continues. Cadillac
Commons nears completion with stamped and colored
concrete for the splash pad and paving is completed.

Dirt crews have been assisting the paving division with
numerous projects including a large paving project at
Materne (former Cherry Growers), Bancroft Road, M-22
at Dumas Road, and the Charlevoix Airport. We are also
helping out the east side with a pipe crew in Gaylord and
some guys at Northern Oaks and Charlevoix. It really is
a TEAM effort and we appreciate the chance to help all
divisions meet our goals.

We installed a culvert on US-31 in Grawn, and started
numerous culverts for Wexford County, a water main

8

Teamwork!

October! Yeah, baby! More football, over drivers to help out. Team is where the estimators

more colors, pumpkins, trick or treating are working in the field to try and help while also keeping

and more hunting. Speaking of hunting, up with bidding, managing, and billing. Team is where

my youngest, Elise, had her chances Max Bott comes in with reinforcements to help out in

but couldn’t get it done. I guess Dad just isn’t doing his areas we just can’t get to. Thank you, TC guys, for the

job. She can hit the heck out of the target at 100 yards help and great attitudes. Team is where Sheila, Mary, and

but, with a little buck fever, dad shaking and breathing Yvonne are all there to clean up our messes and make us

hard in her ear, she just couldn’t get it done. To make all shine!

things worse, Izik was waiting for Sis to get it done before

he took his turn, then it didn’t happen. That’s why they call I can’t thank everyone enough for all the hard work and

it hunting and not killing.  “The way a team plays great attitudes and how I
love being a part of it all. The

To say we’re busy would as a whole determines its awesome thing is, I bet just
be an understatement. success. You may have the about everyone of you would
This is where the TEAM greatest bunch of individual rather have it like this than
in Team Elmers shines! wondering where you’re going
Team is where the crews tomorrow.

are digging in deeper stars in the world, but if We’re in the fourth quarter
and working harder (if they don’t play together, the and things are only going to
that’s possible) and club won’t be worth a dime” get tougher with inclement
sharing people they need weather, becoming tired, and
for themselves. Team

is where Dave Smith is Babe Ruth handling the stress of trying
sharing drivers to use as to finish. If everybody can
operators and laborers to maintain a great attitude and

help out when he needs know you’re not alone, we will

them to drive. Team is where Tim Leeck gives up his finish with an awesome 2016!

entire crew, half of his equipment, and even himself, to

help out at Bolen Pit and on the Lafarge Cell projects. All the while, never forget, we need to do it safely!

Team is where Brian Smith and crew are working – Mike
countless hours to try and keep ahead of the regular
services and get our often occurring breakdowns back up

and running ASAP. Team is where Jim Carey is sending

9

Concrete

What’s In The Mix? A Strong Finish!

The final push has begun as we knew with the consistency of the product that the drivers are
it would. It has been an interesting bringing. This is imperative to our success. Bring it at
season of ups and downs. What is it the slump that is requested and air and strength is easy.
about a cold snap in the air that makes Beaverton has been putting a good year together. Nice
people remember all the things they work, Kevin, Jordan, Jim, Joe, Scotty, and Barry. Omer
need to get done before the snow flies? started a large farm project that will keep Danny J. and
crew out of mischief. Mr. Potter in Oscoda keeps putting
Our plants have been consistently busy and scheduled days together and the drivers are keeping up. Eric in
out most of the day. We need to work with “safe White Cloud is finally starting to experience what a busy
determination” in order to keep pace with the fall rush. day feels like and the drivers are sprinting ahead of him.
Ten minutes saved per round on wash down, getting to Keep up the good work! Ludington is lining up a great
the site in the most efficient manor, wash out, etc. , saves fall and they keep delivering tanks up and down the
a LOT of time companywide. It allows us to do more work coast. Carl and the Manistee crew have been consistent
during the busy season including not having to move
trucks from other plants. Think and also have some good
about what you can improve to commercial work to close out the
help save time safely; it will pay season. The Mount Pleasant
off in more work getting done. crew has been traveling to help
Ten minutes per round will save where needed and they’re doing
us 36.5 hours per day when you a nice job with everyday work in
add up all plants and drivers. their market.
This is time we can use to deliver
more mud. A little adjustment As I said, overall, it has been
for each of us makes a huge an interesting year, but I see
difference when you it up across a strong finish. Thanks to the
the board. sales guys for getting out there
every day and keeping everyone
We did a very large farm job in productive.
Traverse City in late September
and it was officially the last New Opportunities Come With
day we ran the laser screed. Dedicated Effort.
It was sold to a company in
New Jersey. Dan had a tear – jason
in his eye. Tri City has picked
up a lot of commercial work
and I have been really happy

10

Asphalt

Weather Requires Patience!

It’s official. Fall is here and that Operators: It’s that time of year where we need to see
means a month a half left in our lists from all of you outlining the repairs needed on your
season.  With shorter days and equipment.  As you go through this next month and a
wetter weather, we will see what half, please make sure to write down anything we need to
Mother Nature allows us to get done address this winter for repairs.  It’s much easier for us to
the rest of this season.  Luckily for remember what needs to be done and assure you it will
us, we are sitting very well in our be repaired if your notes are written down rather than just
schedule for the season. With most verbally passed on.
of our large, critical projects wrapped up, we don’t have to
make desperate decisions.  Thanks again for all the hard work this season. It
has been a very busy and productive year with many
We recently finished paving the last of the Charlevoix awesome jobs built.  There has been an enormous
Airport runway overlay project. This is a huge project off amount of positive feedback from the public out there on
our plate with the distance and risk involved.  The City the promptness and professional manner in which we
of Traverse City pavement preservations jobs are in the have built our jobs. That’s something to be very proud of.
final stretch. With a handful of mill and fill streets left, we
should have them wrapped up by mid-October.  We are Until next month, stay safe.
looking at some nice county, commercial, and residential
paving to finish out our season.  Yes, days are getting – Brian
shorter, but don’t let that affect our quality of work. Now
more than ever, please take the extra time necessary to
make sure the job is done right the first time.

Workload still continues to build for this season and we
are also starting to see projects being let for next season
as well.  There will be a cutoff point coming soon where
we will need to tell customers that building their work next
year is the only option we have.  The plan for closing right
now is November 12th, weather and project pending, of
course. 

11

CASS BRIDGE : 9TH ST : CLARE : M72
Pictured top of page - Cass Road Bridge. Pictured mid
page, 9th Street-Traverse City, MI. Pictured bottom
and mid right page, concrete work in Clare. Pictured
right page, M-72 reapir work on crushing equipment.
WAY TO GO, TEAM!

12

13

Safety

This article, taken from the Traverler’s Risk Control website, is timely due to the recent

death of a Michigan worker that was hit by a roller.Visit the Michigan.gov website and view

the Worker Fatality section to understand why we constantly strive to provide you with a

safe workplace and the latest information, but we need your help to make safety proce-

dure complete. – Butch

Working Around Heavy Equipment Also, electricity can jump several feet depending on
voltage and weather conditions. Stay clear of crane
Moving Equipment counterweights that could strike you when swinging
The best way to avoid danger from self-propelled a load.
units such as cranes, dozers and trucks, is to keep
our eyes open and stay out of the way. The opera- Other Equipment
tor does his or her best to keep from running over Moving equipment of any kind is dangerous. If, for
anyone but with all the commotion on a construc- example, you’re working on portable staging, scaf-
tion site, he or she might not see you. Don’t rely on folding or work platforms, stay off while it’s being
hearing a horn or an alarm. A construction site, as moved unless it is designed for you to be on it.
you know, is not only busy, it’s noisy. Be careful
when a vehicle is backing up. If you slip and fall, Seatbelts
you may be injured or killed. Always wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts prevent inju-
ries and protect the operator by keeping him or her
Riding On or In Vehicles inside the cab. Also, seatbelts help protect the oper-
Only ride in approved seats. Do not stand or ride ator should the piece of equipment be struck by an-
on running boards, drawbars, truck beds, trailers, other vehicle, especially large trucks on roadways.
or equipment buckets. Riding on the top of a load
is especially dangerous. You may fall off if the load Accessing and Exiting The Cab
shifts, or be crushed when going under low clear- Many employee injuries occur when operators
ances. When riding in transport vehicles, keep your improperly access or exit the cab as a result of
arms and legs inside where they belong and slipping or jumping down onto uneven ground.
use the seatbelt. These injuries typically involve a shoulder, knee,
or ankle injury. Always face the piece of equip-
Walking Beside Vehicles ment and maintain a 3-point contact. (Two
Don’t walk alongside moving equipment. hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand).
You can be injured or killed if the vehicle Never jump down.
slides or turns, if the load shifts, or if you
slip. Don’t walk under loads on cranes or – Article Source: The Travelers Indemnity
hoists. Be careful not to touch the frame of Company 2016. All rights reserved.
a crane when there are power lines in the
area. If the crane touches one of the lines,
you’ll be electrocuted.

14

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

Briggs Farm

Scottville Area

15

Cranes & Rigging

2016 PUSH helped a new customer, Aurora Cellars, unload and install 47
new wine making tanks at their production facility. These tanks
October is finally here. Bow season, high were 13’ tall and 6’ in diameter and refrigerated. Sam, the
school football and Halloween are back to owner, wanted this equipment installed and on line ASAP and
make this a great time to live in northern Mark, Rod, and Don had it done in two days. The feedback I
Michigan. It is also the time of the year where received from the owners was nothing but good, with comments
everybody is starting to make the final big such as, “professional, productive, and a good positive attitude
push to get projects wrapped up before cold from all of your employees during their time at our facility”. Nice
weather. Actually, this is the time of the year Job!
to remember to “think spring”, meaning we need to utilize ALL
of our spring training, safety training, and Give ‘Em The Pickle Our new Grove 5165 was busy with a big lift station for Tony
attitudes, keeping everything we’ve learned springtime fresh in Lawhead at the Kalkaska Hospital and box culverts for Super M
our minds and actions to wrap up the season on a high note. Excavating in Antrim County We also have been called upon
Our collective goal is to be as safe, productive, and positive as by Cone Drive to move out their newer gearbox line as this
we can be as a company while doing our best to provide for our equipment is heading to China. We’ll provide the final move for
customers. So, keep pushing ahead; the snow is coming. DE-STA-CO Corp. as they vacate their Charlevoix operations
and set up a new shop in Tennessee.  Last, but certainly not
Here in the crane and rigging department, we are still picking least, we are grateful for the fact that almost everybody setting
stuff up and setting it down. We have had an opportunity trusses for both residential and commercial projects all over
to provide crane services for new customer, Morton Salt, in northern Michigan has looked to Team Elmer’s for service.
Manistee. They are installing a new 96,000-lb economizer at
their plant to help reduce emissions and have called on us to Conduct Is The Best Proof Of Character.
help them with their project. Al has been meeting with them
to provide the lift expertise and the planning to get this project – Kent
on the straight and narrow. Mark Demoulpied and crew also

HAOPcPtoYbBerIRBTaHbDieAsY! 2001 MARVIN MERO 6-Oct 1770 JOAN BOSELY 13-Oct 1373 JOHN WILDFONG 23-Oct
1742 PETER BOOKLESS 23-Oct
732 KEVIN SPIERLING 7-Oct 1637 BRADLY SMITH 16-Oct 1989 ANDREW DAHL 23-Oct
1249 HEATHER HOXSIE 24-Oct
948 RICHARD MORSE 7-Oct 1920 DENNIS CAREY 17-Oct 1853 JESSE HENDRICKS 24-Oct
111 JOE SOVIS 25-Oct
1610 BRANDON HATCH 8-Oct 1970 JASON WANT 17-Oct 1289 RICHARD SKINNER 26-Oct
1984 WESLEY FREEMAN 26-Oct
1959 ADAM BUGAI 1-Oct 1967 AUSTIN PACZKOWSKI 8-Oct 1246 ANDREW OCKO 20-Oct 26 TODD BROAD 27-Oct
305 SCOTT GROESSER 2-Oct 1437 DANIEL MATZNICK 28-Oct
913 PAULA SAXTON 2-Oct 941 DAN JORDAN 10-Oct 1409 DAVID NICHOLS 20-Oct 129 STEVEN ENDRES 29-Oct
1862 HAROLD COOPER III 3-Oct 1814 CODY MORRIS 29-Oct
1829 BRADLEY NICHOLS 4-Oct 1006 GARY DUFF 11-Oct 1132 JOSEPH MCRANNOLDS 21-Oct 1916 RONNIE BIDDLE 29-Oct
433 BOB BLONSHINE JR 5-Oct 1933 JEREMY MAY 30-Oct
1194 JOSEPH RANDALL 5-Oct 1403 STEVEN VERMEESCH 11-Oct 2033 THOMAS VOTRUBA 21-Oct
996 CRAIG COOK JR 6-Oct
1444 JOHN ZUIDERSMA 6-Oct 269 TONI HENDRIX 12-Oct 729 ROBERT LEE 22-Oct

16 1513 JAMES GREEN 12-Oct 1729 RYAN WURTZ 22-Oct

1645 PAUL WILCOXEN 12-Oct 1740 MARK STORCH 22-Oct

32 MAX BOTT 13-Oct 1809 JOSH SMITH 22-Oct

1536 MICHAEL ROULEAU JR 13-Oct 936 DOUG DUVALL 23-Oct

Trucking

T = Trucking Teamwork. We are lucky here at Elmer’s to have the labor and
equipment to get our projects done on time and to even
Daylight hours are getting shorter and help others out. That is why it is important to make sure
shorter so the trucking division just we take care of our equipment and do our jobs right the
keeps on moving with the lights on. first time. The fall rush comes every year and everyone
We are going to need them. We have has to do their job correctly to get through it safely.
a lot of trucking projects to get done Crews and drivers may feel tired, but we are not to the
before snowballs start flying around. end of the year yet. Let’s make sure we finish the year
As one side of operations slows down, doing our jobs the right way. There are NO shortcuts with
another side has more work than they can handle. It is maintenance and safety. Shortcuts will only come back to
what TEAMWORK is all about to move trucks around to bite us with accidents and costs down the road.
help each other and get the job done for the company.
What a great sense of camaraderie, too, knowing your Be Smart, Be Safe, and Keep The Wheels Turning.
fellow team mate has your back. It also gives everyone
more to do and more days of working. Drivers who are –jim
laid-off during the winter can only draw unemployment for
20 weeks if they have worked enough weeks during the
year. Weather permitting, I am thinking that we are going
to be running trucks to stock pile the yards and fulfill our
committed contracts into December. I keep telling Troy
that it is not going to snow until Christmas because I
would love to keep running as many trucks as possible
until the middle of December. It looks like there is enough
work out there to last that long.

The fall rush has started as residential customers
realize the nice warm days with dry roads are numbered
and they’d better get busy if they want to get all those
projects like driveways, foundation work, excavating,
drain fields, etc., done before snow, cold, and ice delay
things for another year. Farmers will be taking crops off
and wanting lime right away to get it on the fields so they
are ready in the spring to plant again. Contractors are
realizing that they need to get projects finished and any
outside work done to meet their deadlines. Even MDOT
and county road commissions will put completion dates
on projects to get the contractors to finish before cold and
snowy weather affects the projects.

17

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

How Do You Handle Stress?

Greetings! Fall is definitely in the air. After such a hot summer, addiction is constantly telling us what to do and we seem only too
the cooler temperatures have been a welcome relief. It has been ready to listen. We have all the excuses ready why we’re allowed
enjoyable to get around and see many of you at the various work our indulgence, just this one more time, because we think our
sites. I know that September was a difficult month for some of addiction will make us feel better. Except it really doesn’t. The
you. You have been in my prayers. scary part is that we try to convince ourselves and those around
us that we are in control. We don’t think we’re hurting anyone or
I will be coordinating two Financial Peace classes at two different having any adverse affect on anything else around us.
locations in January. The location of the first class has yet to be
determined but will meet either at the Hampton Inn in Midland The classic line of those who struggle with addiction is, “I can
or in Mt. Pleasant. This class will meet for three consecutive quit anytime I want to.” In reality, it is very likely that they have
Saturdays beginning January 14th from 9am until 3pm. The class tried to stop or limit their behavior only to return to it. Could this
is open to employees and their family members. Please contact apply to you? You may have set a limit on how much alcohol
me, or let your manager know, if you plan to attend. The Traverse you drink. For a short time you were able to limit your drinking.
City location class will meet starting Sunday, January 15th. This Then, you returned to excessive drinking again. There may be
class will meet for nine weeks with a starting time of 6:30pm. certain internet behaviors you keep going back to even though
you fear the consequences of getting caught. Perhaps you set
A new women’s study group has begun at the Traverse City a spending limit for the casino only to go over that limit time and
location. The class meets Wednesdays at noon and is designed time again. Are you talking yourself into breaking your word or is
to help you understand the inner lives of men. Please let me your addiction doing all the talking?
know if you would like to attend. A new men’s study, A Man and
his Fatherhood, will be starting on October 12th. We will meet on Living with an addiction can be risky. You could lose your job.
Wednesdays at 6am. This is an excellent opportunity to sharpen You may lose your marriage. You could hurt or kill somebody.
your fatherhood skills. Please let me know by October 5th if you You might end up getting arrested and going to jail with your
plan to attend. name or photograph in the news for all the world, including
your family, to see. All because you won’t admit that you have
After a long, hard day, how do you unwind? If you fear you a problem. You can’t fix this alone. You need to admit that you
might be relying on certain behaviors or substances a little too need help. Over the next four weeks I will have blogs posted
much to help, you are not alone. Addiction is quite common on the Elmer’s website about addiction. My prayer is that it
in our society. There are two types of addiction. First, there will motivate some of you to get help before your world comes
are substances such as alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs, crashing down. I will help you when you are ready. God is only a
marijuana, and caffeine. Then there are process drugs such as prayer away.
sex, pornography, work, gambling, shopping, exercise, and food.
The one common thread with addiction is that it is destructive. Praying for you.
Addiction is destructive because it becomes an obsessive
behavior that we cannot control. We don’t like others telling us – Tom
what to do all the time, yet we put blinders on to the fact that our

NEWBORN ANNOUNCEMENTS!

A daughter, Isla - 19.5 inches/8 lbs 8 oz
born September 11 to Lristen and Philip Packard. Phillip works in TC Redimix.

18

Mechanics

Communicate Repairs. an unnecessary extra step for the shop by now. Please do us
this simple courtesy. Thank you. Also, we have had a string
With fall officially here, be careful what you of vehicles, primarily cars and light trucks, that have come into
wish for in terms of cooler temperatures, the shop several thousand miles over service. I understand
because winter is next. With that said, it’s everyone is extremely busy but PLEASE try to keep an eye on
time to start planning and thinking about your service stickers! If you don’t have a sticker or you’re not
winter repairs, winter projects and SNOW sure when the service is due, just give Evan or me a call. My
PLOWING! number is 231-642-1501 and Evan is at 231-218-1198.

I would like to remind everyone to let me Before the season ends, we will be having all the drivers fill out
know if you are dropping off equipment for repairs. We continue an inspection list on their equipment. This will help us pinpoint
to get several trucks, vans, and equipment dropped off at the current problems much faster and repair small issues before
shop every week with no form of communication whatsoever they become DOT related issues. We are hoping to have similar
as to why these things are in the shop. Equipment cannot be inspection sheets for all the yellow iron as we did last year.
repaired in a timely fashion if we have no clue what we are
looking for. If it is after hours or you can’t find anyone to relay Until next time, keep it running! – Eric
the message, please leave a note, send an email or call us
and leave a voice mail. Having to track down the last operator
or driver is extremely difficult, time consuming and should be

Report Oil Leaks. LOSS LOSS PER LOSS PER

Finally, deer season is here. Things PER DAY MONTH YEAR
are going to start slowing down in
the field and picking up in the shop LEAK RATE GALS GALS GALS
with everyone trying to get through
everything and prepare for the next DROP EVERY 10 SEC 0.113 3.38 41
season.
DROP EVERY 5 SEC 0.225 6.75 81
With the season winding down,
I would like to remind everyone to please report all DROP EVERY SECOND 1.125 33.75 405
oil leaks on equipment, trucks, and trailers. With the
average price of oil per gallon around $7.50, given the 3 DROPS PER SEC 3.275 101.25 1215
size of our fleet, it does not take long for those numbers
to add up. Even a small drip adds up. The following chart DROP TURNS TO 24 720 8640
shows how much oil the equipment is losing. STREAM

Please remember to write down hours and check meters

and service stickers. Let us know if any of you are

missing service due stickers. As always, if you have

any questions, just call the mechanic shop and we will
– Evan
answer them for you.
Thank you!

19

Pictured above and below, crews continue to work on M-32 in Gaylord, Michigan. Pictured on the page to the right, (top, left side and
right side of page), crews continue work on a private residence in Traverse City, Michigan. Pictured right, at the bottom of the page,
repair crews work to fix damaged vehicles and order a replacement fender.

20

21

THEGIPVEI‘ECMKLE

1 SERVICE Aaron Sobeck - Testing - Omer
"...We have had a great experience with Team Elmer’s... Aaron
Make serving others has been great to have onsite to discuss any issues and his
your #1 priority. actions have made it clear that he wants every cubic yard of
mud placed to be in spec and avoid any possible deductions...
You’re in a noble profession. during the deck pour last Friday Aaron was very involved in
Be proud of what you do and making sure all testing went well and mud was in spec. Other
suppliers would rather complain about the pump and provide
where you work. no insight of what could be done to avoid deductions. This has not been the case with Team
Elmer’s and we thank you for that." Way to go, Aaron!
2 ATTITUDE Zak Underwood - C.A. Hull Co., Inc.

Choose your attitude. Ed Ley (left) and Tom Sampier (below)
How you think about customers Mechanics - Mt. Pleasant
"These two guys are awesome. They have a great attitude and
is how you will treat them. are always willing to help out. Today our plant broke a cyl-
Remember your mental inder on the gate and both of them stepped up and fixed the
“I Like Yous!” problem with cool heads. We were able to save the load and
keep the plant rolling with their help. Tom, our mechanic,
always has a smile on his face and does the best job repair-
ing our equipment. Edward Ley comes into work every day
with a positive attitude and can do spirit. I don’t know what I
would do without them. I just want them recognized for their
efforts and know that it is appreciated greatly. "
JJ Housner

3 CONSISTENCY Way to go, Ed and Tom!!

Customers return because they Mike Coe
like what happened last time. Concrete - Manistee
Mike was talking to one of our Elmer's contractor's and heard
Stick to your high they were paving a barn floor (not using Elmer's concrete).
service standards. Mike took it upon himself to go talk with the home owner.
Two days later the home owner stepped into Elmer's and
place a 60 yard order for his barn floor! Way to go, Mike!

4 TEAMWORK M-115 Crews - Jeff Putney and Multiple Crews!

Go out of your way Excavation - Traverse City
to make each other look good. "I’m writing to you with a compliment! I live in Frankfort
and my husband and I make frequent trips on rt. 115 on our
Everything you do ends up way to Benzonia and beyond. The road construction there
in front of the customer. has been beautifully handled! Not only is the workmanship
well done, but the landscaping is lovely. Many of us talk
about how politely we’ve been treated even after the workers
leave – spent all day in the hot sun on black pavement. BRAVO! In the evenings &
weekends the large equipment has been neatly stored alongside the road. I’ve not heard a
single negative word about the project even though I wondered how it would go once the
tourists got here. Nary a problem (as far as I know.) I’m telling you this because so often
people don’t hear the positive news – only the negative. Good Job!!
Sincerely, Judy M. - Year-long resident of Frankfort" Way to go, Team!

22

TIP OF THE

MONTH

Early detection can

save your
life.

While advanced stage breast cancer only has a 27% survival rate,
early detection has a 98% survival rate.

1 in 8

Women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime.

FACTORS THAT CAN HELP LOWER THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER:

CHECK YOURSELF.

Perform monthly breast self-exams and schedule annual exams with your physician.

BE ACTIVE.

Whether it be running, yoga, or biking; do what you enjoy to maintain a healthy weight.

EAT HEALTHY.

Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, specifically those with lots of fiber and antioxidants.

DON’T SMOKE.

And quit if you do. It is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death.

LIMIT ALCOHOL INTAKE.

One drink per day, or even better, only on special occasions.

Questions? Ask Senika.

616-309-2776
[email protected]

23

GREAT WOLF LODGE - MID WINTER BREAK

Who When The special room rate for a Wolf
Den or Kid Kamp Suite is $149
Team Elmer’s employees and their Saturday, January 28, 2016 per night plus taxes and $14.99 per
immediate families. Employee, Swim between night lodge fee.
employee's spouse or sweetheart, 11 am - 8 pm
and dependent children under 20 Pizza Buffet in the White Pine Each individual guest must make
years of age, living in your home. Ballroom 11 am - 3 pm their own reservations by calling
We buy the waterpark passes and the toll-free Central Reservations
pizza for your whole family listed Sign up online at Department at 1-866-962-9653 by
above! Are you a grandparent http://www.teamelmers.com/ December 27, 2016. They must
working at Team Elmer's? Bring great-wolf-lodge identify themselves as members
your grandkid(s) under 20 years of by December 27, 2016 for of the Group, with Reservation
age. As many as you can keep an waterpark passes. Space is limited. Code 1702ELMER. All
eye on! Sign up NOW! reservations must be guaranteed
by the individual and accompanied
Yes, you can bring guests! Cost Where by a first night room deposit or
is $35 each additional guest. guaranteed with a major credit
Pre-registration is required. Use Great Wolf Lodge card. Each individual has up to
comments section in sign-up form 3575 U.S. HIghway 31 - Traverse 72 hours prior to arrival date to
to register your guest(s). Payment City, MI cancel the individual room with a
is to be made directly to "Team $40.00 cancellation fee per room.
Elmer's." Why If the individual cancels the room
within 72 hours of the arrival
What Because we love you! Who knows date, 100% of the first night’s
how much snow we will get this room rate plus tax will be charged
Midwinter Break at Great Wolf year! Need we say more? to the individual’s credit card or
Lodge! taken from the deposit. All room
Free waterpark passes with locker Accommodations rentals are the responsibility of the
room access and pizza party! employee.
Lockers available for rent from You may choose to stay overnight
Great Wolf Lodge. at the Great Wolf Lodge on Friday,
January 27 and/or Saturday, January
28. Availability is limited and filled
on a first reserved first served basis.
The special
room rate
for a Family
Suite is $119
per night plus
taxes and
$14.99 per
night lodge
fee.